Cataracts

A cataract clouds the lens of the eye and this blocks or changes the way light passes through the eye. If not enough light gets through the person will be blind. A commonly performed surgery can restore better sight.

Risk factors for developing cataracts including aging, overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, smoking, diabetes and long-term steroid use.

Symptoms of a cataract:

·      light seems to be too dim for reading or close-up work or overwhelmingly bright

·      blurred vision, double vision or  a sense of a film over the eyes

·      eyeglass prescriptions change often without improvement in vision.

As part of a comprehensive examination, an ophthalmologist will test vision, eye pressures and assess the density of a cataract. Everyone over the age of 65 should have an eye exam every two years, even if there doesn’t appear to be any problem seeing.

Don't let a cataract limit your life: more information.